Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;MOZA SUNC 02&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by a daisy-type inflorescence, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, free branching habit, yellow ray florets, a very uniform round growth habit, and a large quantity of blooms per flowering branch.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Dendranthema morifolium.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0002] The new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant is hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name ‘MOZA SUNC 02.’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The new cultivar is a product of hybridization of a female parentChrysanthemum plant variety ‘MZ-923’ (undistributed in the UnitedStates) and a male parent Chrysanthemum plant variety ‘MZ-617’(undistributed in the United States). The new cultivar was discoveredand selected by the inventor in October 1999.

[0004] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by apical tip cuttingand meristem tissue culture was performed in Oxnard, Calif. and hasshown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The cultivar ‘MOZA SUNC 02’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0006] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MOZA SUNC 02.’ Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘MOZA SUNC 02’ as a new anddistinct Chrysanthemum cultivar:

[0007] 1. Daisy-type inflorescence,

[0008] 2. Consistent flowering response to short days, bloomingconsistently after 49 days of short day length,

[0009] 3. Free branching habit,

[0010] 4. Yellow ray florets,

[0011] 5. Very uniform round growth habit, and

[0012] 6. Large quantity of blooms per flowering branch.

[0013] Plants of the new cultivar are similar to plants of the femaleparent variety, ‘MZ-923’ in most horticultural characteristics, howeverplants of the new cultivar have differently colored ray florets, moreray florets per inflorescence, and a more persistent inflorescence thanplants of the female parent variety.

[0014] Plants of the new cultivar are similar to plants of the maleparent variety, ‘MZ-617’ in most horticultural characteristics, howeverplants of the new cultivar have a different type of inflorescence and amore persistent inflorescence than plants of the male parent variety.

[0015] In comparison to the commercially available variety ‘GEDI YP’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,238), ‘MOZA SUNC 02’ has a wider inflorescencediameter, more ray florets per inflorescence, fewer inflorescences perflowering branch, and the plants are shorter and more compact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0016] The photograph shows a plant of ‘MOZA SUNC 02’ grown in asix-inch container. One cutting was used in the pot.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0017] In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in Oxnard, Calif. during themonth of December and January. The growing temperature ranged from 55°to 68° F. at night to 60° to 75° F. during the day. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

[0018] Botanical classification: Dendranthema morifolium cultivar ‘MOZASUNC 02’.

[0019] Commercial classification: Garden-type Chrysanthemum.

[0020] Parentage: Hybridization of a female parent Chrysanthemum plantvariety, ‘MZ-923’ (undistributed in the United States), and a maleparent Chrysanthemum plant variety ‘MZ-617’ (undistributed in the UnitedStates).

PROPAGATION

[0021] Time to rooting: 7 to 14 days at approximately 21° C.'.

[0022] Rooting habit: Fine, fibrous.

PLANT

[0023] Growth habit: Mounding herbaceous perennial.

[0024] Height: Approximately 12.2 cm.

[0025] Spread: Approximately 12.5 cm.

[0026] Growth rate: Moderate.

[0027] Branching characteristics: Free Branching.

[0028] Length of lateral branches: Approximately 11.1 cm.

[0029] Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 47.

FOLIAGE

[0030] Leaf:

[0031]Arrangement.—Alternate.

[0032]Average length.—Approximately 4.3 cm.

[0033]Average width.—Approximately 3.8 cm.

[0034]Shape of blade.—Ovate.

[0035]Apex.—Cuspidate.

[0036]Base.—Attenuate.

[0037]Attachment.—Stalked.

[0038]Margin.—Palmately lobed.

[0039]Texture of top surface.—Lightly pubescent.

[0040]Texture of bottom surface.—Lightly pubescent.

[0041]Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near 137A. Young foliage underside: Near 138B. Mature foliage upper side: Near 137A. Mature foliageunder side: Near 138B. Venation upper side: Near 145B. Venation underside: Near 138C.

[0042]Type.—Net.

[0043] Petiole:

[0044]Average length.—Approximately 2.8 cm.

[0045]Color.—Near 137A.

[0046]Diameter.—Approximately 0.3 cm.

BLOOM

[0047] Inflorescence:

[0048]Flowering habit.—Induced by darkness period greater than 13.5hours, approximately 49 days of appropriate day length required toinduce and develop blooms.

[0049]Inflorescence form.—Daisy.

[0050]Natural flowering season.—Approximately the middle two weeks ofSeptember.

[0051]Number of inflorescences per lateral branch.—Approximately 13.

[0052]Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 4.3 cm.

[0053]Inflorescence depth.—Approximately 1.1 cm.

[0054]Inflorescence longevity on plant.—Approximately 17 days.

[0055]Persistence.—Persistent.

[0056]Disc diameter.—Approximately 1.4 cm.

[0057] Ray florets:

[0058]Appearance.—Matte.

[0059]Texture.—Smooth.

[0060]Average number per flower.—56.

[0061]Shape.—Obovate.

[0062]Aspect.—Flat.

[0063]Margin.—Entire.

[0064]Apex.—Retuse.

[0065]Length.—Approximately 1.3 cm.

[0066]Width.—Approximately 0.5 cm.

[0067]Color.—Upper surface at first opening: Near 4A. Upper surface atmaturity: Near 3B. Upper surface at fading: Near 3B. Under surface atfirst opening: Near 4B. Under surface at maturity: Near 3C. Undersurface at fading: Near 3C.

[0068] Disc florets:

[0069]Appearance.—Shiny.

[0070]Texture.—Smooth.

[0071]Average number per flower.—Approximately 150.

[0072]Shape.—Cylindrical.

[0073]Apex.—Obtuse.

[0074]Average length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.

[0075]Average width.—Approximately 0.1 cm.

[0076]Color.—At first opening: Near 154A. At maturity: Near 7A. Atfading: Near 6A.

[0077] Peduncle:

[0078]Length.—At terminal end (shortest): Approximately 2.4 cm. Atlateral end (longest): Approximately 5.6 cm.

[0079]Angle to stem.—Acute.

[0080]Strength.—Moderate.

[0081]Color.—Near 144A.

[0082]Habit.—Upright.

[0083]Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.

[0084] Inflorescence bud:

[0085]Length.—Approximately 0.6 cm.

[0086]Diameter.—Approximately 0.9 cm.

[0087]Form.—Globular.

[0088]Color.—Near 154B.

[0089] Involucral bracts (Phyllaries):

[0090]Appearance.—Matte.

[0091]Texture.—Lightly pubescent.

[0092]Number.—Approximately 31.

[0093]Shape.—Oblanceolate.

[0094]Margin.—Entire.

[0095]Apex.—Acute.

[0096]Length.—Approximately 0.7 cm.

[0097]Width.—Approximately 0.3 cm.

[0098]Color.—Upper side: Near 144A. Under side: Near 144A.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

[0099] Ray florets:

[0100]Pistillate.—Number of pistils per flower: 1. Stigma shape: 2branched. Stigma color: Near 5A. Style color: Near 154D. Style length:Approximately 0.5 cm.

[0101] Disc florets (hermaphroditic disc florets):

[0102]Pistillate.—Number of pistils per flower: 1. Stigma shape:Two-branched. Stigma color: Near 3B. Style length: Approximately 0.4 cm.Style color: Near 2D.

[0103]Staminate.—Number of stamens per flower: 5. Anther shape: Tubular.Anther color: Near 25B.

[0104]Pollen.—No pollen detected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemumplant named ‘MOZA SUNC 02’ as herein illustrated and described.